Things To Do On A Snowy Day: Rock Painting

Being stuck inside for days at a time while the temperatures linger below freezing is just about enough to drive kids (and their moms) crazy. Time to get creative!

Rock painting is a fairly new thing that everybody seems to be into. There are lots of Facebook groups that you can join and post pictures of your rocks along with hints so that others can find them. But even if you’re not into the social media scene, you can still enjoy painting rocks with you child.

The first step is to get yourself some suitable rocks. Smooth stones (you can pick them up at your local hardware store such as Lowe’s or Home Depot) a little larger than an egg seem to work the best. But really, I’ve used anything from rocks I just find outside to small black pebbles.

Next, you need some art supplies. Acrylic paint, a few brushes, metallic Sharpies, and paint markers are some of our favorites. I’m kinda nutty about googly eyes too. If you’re on a budget there’s no need to spend all your savings, just use what you have. I’ve heard that you can warm your rocks in the oven for a little bit and use crayons (and what mom doesn’t have a zillion broken ones laying around?) to draw on them. The heat will melt the wax making it more “paint-like”. Permanent markers will sometimes also do the trick. You can use Modge-Podge to attach things like the eyes, stickers, glitter, and a label on the back saying where to rock is from and what your child said the picture was of. To make them more weather proof either coat them in Modge-Podge or a clear urethane sealer spray. Then they are ready to hide!

Just remember, this is supposed to be fun. No need to get upset if you can’t make works of art or if your kid has more paint on them than the rocks. The whole point is to hide a rock that someone may find and it will brighten their day and to have fun with your kids while painting them.

Thanks Anna! I’m not real sure if you’d have to seal them (I hadn’t actually tried this way yet) but it would probably be fine. I’ve sent lots of rocks out into the world without sealer. They may not last for years but I think they will serve the purpose. Thanks for dropping by and reading!